Banned in 160 Nations, Yet U.S. FDA Regards it as Safe

That the FDA is a front for chemical and pharmaceutical mega-corporations is now well-established. I'm simply trying to push home the point that almost anything non-organic is going to be toxic. In fact, given the influence of Monsanto and Dow, et al, over our health regulatory institutions, including those that set the standards for what is considered "organic", it is becoming increasingly clear that the only way to ensure your food is healthy and non-toxic is to produce your own.

Which is of course why they're attempting to make it illegal to produce your own food.

Mercola.com -

A livestock drug banned in 160 nations and responsible for hyperactivity, muscle breakdown and 10 percent mortality in pigs has been approved by the FDA.

The beta agonist ractopamine, a repartitioning agent that increases protein synthesis, was recruited for livestock use when researchers found the drug, used in asthma, made mice more muscular.

Ractopamine is started as the animal nears slaughter.

How does a drug marked, "Not for use in humans. Individuals with cardiovascular disease should exercise special caution to avoid exposure. Use protective clothing, impervious gloves, protective eye wear, and a NIOSH-approved dust mask" become "safe" in human food? With no washout period?

The drug is banned in Europe, Taiwan and China, and more than 1,700 people have been "poisoned" from eating pigs fed the drug since 1998, but ractopamine is used in 45 percent of U.S. pigs and 30 percent of ration-fed cattle.

Sources:

AlterNet February 2, 2010

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